he conversation with your job interviewer. Extending a conversation is a good thing if it promotes bonding between you and the interviewer. Here are three tips for better listening:

1. Be interested and attentive

2. Listen patiently

3. Listen to nonverbal messages

Avoid dead-end questions

One of the best ways to find out about a manager’s interests and promote an engaging conversation is asking open-ended questions that encourage him to reveal more about himself than a simple YES or No. To ask o

Top-notch communication skills are a must for job interview success. Think about the following example for a moment. We have candidates A and B who share similar credentials and experience. Candidate B is passionate, clear and concise, while candidate A is lifeless and convoluted. To whom shall we offer the job? Candidate B is my pick. How about you?

From this simple example we see that communicating effectively is essential for job interview success. Here are five ways to improve your communication skills.

Focus more energy on how you say it rather than what you say

Experts estimate that words alone are only 7% effective versus nonverbal clues, which are 55% effective in a conversation. The remaining 38% is tone of voice. A better return on investment clearly lies in nonverbal clues and tone of voice. This means you need to take an assessment of your nonverbal clues and tone of voice.

Nonverbal clues are things like body posture, hand gestures, body gestures, facial expression, and eye contact. For instance crossing your arms over your chest shows you have a closed mind. Your tone of voice shows different forms of attitude such as excitement and boredom. Your facial expression the same. Eye contact is always good as it shows a form of trust. Lastly, your appearance characterizes what kind of person you are. Are you clean, organized, or sloppy? All these nonverbal clues send your interviewer messages about you, good or bad. Now ask yourself if you are sending the best message.

Always remember the 3 Big C’s

Effective communication contains 3 key elements. Be sure to focus on these three elements in your next job interview.

Clear – make sure you speak clearly
Concise – avoid being long winded
Complete – be sure to include all pertinent information

Don’t rehearse

One of the greatest sins you can commit during a job interview is rehearsing. Rehearsing is when you wait for the other person to finish what he or she is saying so that you can start talking again. This promotes poor listening and reduces your odds for extending the conversation with your job interviewer. Extending a conversation is a good thing if it promotes bonding between you and the interviewer. Here are three tips for better listening:

1. Be interested and attentive

2. Listen patiently

3. Listen to nonverbal messages

Avoid dead-end questions

One of the best ways to find out about a manager’s interests and promote an engaging conversation is asking open-ended questions that encourage him to reveal more about himself than a simple YES or No. To ask o

more energy on how you say it rather than what you say

Experts estimate that words alone are only 7% effective versus nonverbal clues, which are 55% effective in a conversation. The remaining 38% is tone of voice. A better return on investment clearly lies in nonverbal clues and tone of voice. This means you need to take an assessment of your nonverbal clues and tone of voice.

Nonverbal clues are things like body posture, hand gestures, body gestures, facial expression, and eye contact. For instance crossing your arms over your chest shows you have a closed mind. Your tone of voice shows different forms of attitude such as excitement and boredom. Your facial expression the same. Eye contact is always good as it shows a form of trust. Lastly, your appearance characterizes what kind of person you are. Are you clean, organized, or sloppy? All these nonverbal clues send your interviewer messages about you, good or bad. Now ask yourself if you are sending the best message.

Always remember the 3 Big C’s

Effective communication contains 3 key elements. Be sure to focus on these three elements in your next job interview.

Clear – make sure you speak clearly
Concise – avoid being long winded
Complete – be sure to include all pertinent information

Don’t rehearse

One of the greatest sins you can commit during a job interview is rehearsing. Rehearsing is when you wait for the other person to finish what he or she is saying so that you can start talking again. This promotes poor listening and reduces your odds for extending the conversation with your job interviewer. Extending a conversation is a good thing if it promotes bonding between you and the interviewer. Here are three tips for better listening:

1. Be interested and attentive

2. Listen patiently

3. Listen to nonverbal messages

Avoid dead-end questions

One of the best ways to find out about a manager’s interests and promote an engaging conversation is asking open-ended questions that encourage him to reveal more about himself than a simple YES or No. To ask o

r arms over your chest shows you have a closed mind. Your tone of voice shows different forms of attitude such as excitement and boredom. Your facial expression the same. Eye contact is always good as it shows a form of trust. Lastly, your appearance characterizes what kind of person you are. Are you clean, organized, or sloppy? All these nonverbal clues send your interviewer messages about you, good or bad. Now ask yourself if you are sending the best message.

Always remember the 3 Big C’s

Effective communication contains 3 key elements. Be sure to focus on these three elements in your next job interview.

Clear – make sure you speak clearly
Concise – avoid being long winded
Complete – be sure to include all pertinent information

Don’t rehearse

One of the greatest sins you can commit during a job interview is rehearsing. Rehearsing is when you wait for the other person to finish what he or she is saying so that you can start talking again. This promotes poor listening and reduces your odds for extending the conversation with your job interviewer. Extending a conversation is a good thing if it promotes bonding between you and the interviewer. Here are three tips for better listening:

1. Be interested and attentive

2. Listen patiently

3. Listen to nonverbal messages

Avoid dead-end questions

One of the best ways to find out about a manager’s interests and promote an engaging conversation is asking open-ended questions that encourage him to reveal more about himself than a simple YES or No. To ask o

n contains 3 key elements. Be sure to focus on these three elements in your next job interview.

Clear – make sure you speak clearly
Concise – avoid being long winded
Complete – be sure to include all pertinent information

Don’t rehearse

One of the greatest sins you can commit during a job interview is rehearsing. Rehearsing is when you wait for the other person to finish what he or she is saying so that you can start talking again. This promotes poor listening and reduces your odds for extending the conversation with your job interviewer. Extending a conversation is a good thing if it promotes bonding between you and the interviewer. Here are three tips for better listening:

1. Be interested and attentive

2. Listen patiently

3. Listen to nonverbal messages

Avoid dead-end questions

One of the best ways to find out about a manager’s interests and promote an engaging conversation is asking open-ended questions that encourage him to reveal more about himself than a simple YES or No. To ask o

he conversation with your job interviewer. Extending a conversation is a good thing if it promotes bonding between you and the interviewer. Here are three tips for better listening:

1. Be interested and attentive

2. Listen patiently

3. Listen to nonverbal messages

Avoid dead-end questions

One of the best ways to find out about a manager’s interests and promote an engaging conversation is asking open-ended questions that encourage him to reveal more about himself than a simple YES or No. To ask open-ended questions, remember to begin your questions with: What, When, Where, How, Tell me.

Paint your words with pictures

Because our brains have a tendency to translate messages into their visual equivalents, it’s important that you use word pictures to stand out during a job interview. Word pictures describe something that others can see and feel. By replacing vague words about your previous work experience with words that are more vivid and vibrant, you will guide the mind and actions of your job interviewer. For example, instead of, “I was in charge of men’s clothing,” say, “I helped customers put a major dose of ‘wow’ into their wardrobes.”